Seen by many as something of a national shame, Britain's teenage pregnancy rate is the highest in Western Europe. According to data from the Office for National Statistics, 41,325 girls under 18 in England and Wales fell pregnant in 2008, a decline of 3.9% from 2007, while the number of pregnancies among the under-16s fell 7.9% to 7,577. But the decline is far short of the government's pledge to halve teenage pregnancies by 2010. Ministers committed to halve pregnancies among 15-to-17 year olds in England from the 1998 rate of 46.6 conceptions per 1,000 girls. Today's figures show a rate of 40.4 per 1000 girls in 2008 - a drop of just over 13% against the baseline figure.
This combined with the fact that the abortion rate for this group has risen, means there are now several thousand fewer teenage mothers. But how you go about ensuring that trend continues - and indeed accelerates fairly rapidly - is a fraught issue.
Most teenage pregnancies are unplanned and around half end in an abortion. As well it being an avoidable experience for young woman, abortions represent an avoidable cost to the NHS.
(Interview- Doctor/Sexual Health Nurse)
And while for some young women having a child when young can represent a positive turning point in their lives, for many more teenagers bringing up a child is incredibly difficult and often results in poor outcomes for both the teenage parent and the child, in terms of the baby's health, the mother's emotional health and well-being and the likelihood of both the parent and child living in long-term poverty.
But while socially deprived areas still record some of the highest rates in England, the councils showing the biggest increases in conception rates in girls under 18 in London Boroughs such as Redbridge which has risen by 25 per cent and in Barking & Dagenham which has risen by 31.5 per cent.
(Interview- Margaret Hodge)
In the UK, half of all teenagers with children are lone parents, 40% are cohabitating as a couple and 10% are married. Teenage parents are frequently in a romantic relationship at the time of birth, but many adolescent fathers do not stay with the mother and this often disrupts their relationship with the child.
Research has shown that when teenage fathers are included in decision-making during pregnancy and birth, they are more likely to report increased involvement with their children in later years.
(Interview- Blake Shaw)
So what are the government doing to decrease the pregnancy rate in the UK?
In 2009 a multi-million pound initiative to reduce teenage pregnancies more than doubles the number of girls conceiving. The government-backed scheme tried to persuade teenage girls not to get pregnant by handing out condoms and teaching them about sex. But research funded by the Department of Health shows that young women who attended the programmes, at a cost of £2,500 each, were 'significantly' more likely to become pregnant than those on other youth programmes who were not given contraception and sex advice. A total of 16 per cent of those on the Young People's Development Programme conceived compared with just 6 per cent in other programmes. Experts said the scheme failed because it introduced girls 'at risk' of becoming pregnant to promiscuous girls they might not otherwise have met.
Because of peer pressure the more timid teenagers were more likely to have sex and become pregnant.
The £5.9 million Young People's Development Programme was also designed to slash cannabis use and drunkenness among teenagers, but made no difference whatsoever.
A recent survey of 16 to 24 year olds found that 20 percent felt awkward discussing contraception with friends, and nearly 26 percent of them never considered talking about contraception with their partner.
(Interview - Teen mum)
The previous government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was to halve the rate of teenage pregnancies in the UK by 2010 and enable teenage parents to move into education, employment and training. Progress was achieved towards the targets set but there is much more to be done. Straight Talking, with its peer education in schools and its training programme for teenage parents, responds to both aims.
Straight Talking Peer Education was set up as a registered charity in 1998 by Hilary Pannack. Hilary previously had several years experience of working with teenage parents in residential settings and support groups.
Straight Talking provides one to one mentoring, visits from careers advisors, counsellors and other professionals. They are given support with finance issues and signposted for further help. They receive comprehensive support and training to deliver the programme and their progress is regularly monitored, assessed and reviewed. They receive extra training in child protection, classroom behavior management and equal opportunities and diversity.
Straight Talking is based in New Malden, Surrey. Courses are currently delivered in the London Boroughs o f Kingston, Richmond, Hounslow and Barking & Dagenham as well as Birmingham and Somerset.
(Interview- Margaret Hodge)
In the UK, half of all teenagers with children are lone parents, 40% are cohabitating as a couple and 10% are married. Teenage parents are frequently in a romantic relationship at the time of birth, but many adolescent fathers do not stay with the mother and this often disrupts their relationship with the child.
Research has shown that when teenage fathers are included in decision-making during pregnancy and birth, they are more likely to report increased involvement with their children in later years.
(Interview- Blake Shaw)
So what are the government doing to decrease the pregnancy rate in the UK?
In 2009 a multi-million pound initiative to reduce teenage pregnancies more than doubles the number of girls conceiving. The government-backed scheme tried to persuade teenage girls not to get pregnant by handing out condoms and teaching them about sex. But research funded by the Department of Health shows that young women who attended the programmes, at a cost of £2,500 each, were 'significantly' more likely to become pregnant than those on other youth programmes who were not given contraception and sex advice. A total of 16 per cent of those on the Young People's Development Programme conceived compared with just 6 per cent in other programmes. Experts said the scheme failed because it introduced girls 'at risk' of becoming pregnant to promiscuous girls they might not otherwise have met.
Because of peer pressure the more timid teenagers were more likely to have sex and become pregnant.
The £5.9 million Young People's Development Programme was also designed to slash cannabis use and drunkenness among teenagers, but made no difference whatsoever.
A recent survey of 16 to 24 year olds found that 20 percent felt awkward discussing contraception with friends, and nearly 26 percent of them never considered talking about contraception with their partner.
(Interview - Teen mum)
The previous government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was to halve the rate of teenage pregnancies in the UK by 2010 and enable teenage parents to move into education, employment and training. Progress was achieved towards the targets set but there is much more to be done. Straight Talking, with its peer education in schools and its training programme for teenage parents, responds to both aims.
Straight Talking Peer Education was set up as a registered charity in 1998 by Hilary Pannack. Hilary previously had several years experience of working with teenage parents in residential settings and support groups.
Straight Talking provides one to one mentoring, visits from careers advisors, counsellors and other professionals. They are given support with finance issues and signposted for further help. They receive comprehensive support and training to deliver the programme and their progress is regularly monitored, assessed and reviewed. They receive extra training in child protection, classroom behavior management and equal opportunities and diversity.
Straight Talking is based in New Malden, Surrey. Courses are currently delivered in the London Boroughs o f Kingston, Richmond, Hounslow and Barking & Dagenham as well as Birmingham and Somerset.
(Interview with Straight Talking Peer Education)
So it is clear that the government have introduced schemes to help teenage parents, however are they doing enough to stop teens getting pregnant?
So it is clear that the government have introduced schemes to help teenage parents, however are they doing enough to stop teens getting pregnant?
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